The Plano AsiaFest on May 5 will feature an array of cultural performances. The event is in honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

Winners of the Muslim Spelling Bee held recently at the Islamic Center of Iiivng pose with their mothers.

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Like most commemorative months, the recognition started with a congressional bill. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating the first 10 days of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week. About a dozen years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the celebration the entire month.

May was chosen to recognize the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S., which was on May 7, 1843. It also was the month in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was finished through the work of many Chinese immigrants.

North Texas starts its celebrations at Eastfield College, 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite, with an exhibit called “Asian and Middle Eastern Arts: An Expression of Culture.” The exhibit runs through May 4 in the library. A Heritage Celebration will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in rooms G101-102. Other events will be Monday and Tuesday. Call 972-860-7185 or visit eastfieldcollege.edu.

The ninth annual Plano AsiaFest will be from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5 at Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St. Last year’s fest featured 34 performances and 76 booths. Admission and parking are free. Call 214-556-9852.

On May 12, the metroPCS Asian Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St. in Dallas. The Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber and the MEED Center host the free event. Call 972-241-8250 or visit asianfestivaldallas.com.

In Irving, the 2012 Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival will be from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20 on Lake Carolyn in Las Colinas. The Marco Polo Foundation hosts the free event with support from Irving. Visit dragonboatfestival.com.

Feng shui

Feng shui literally means “wind and water.” In Chinese culture, wind and water are associated with good health. Good feng shui came to mean good fortune while bad feng shui means misfortune. Feng shui reveals how to balance energies to achieve harmony.

The Confucius Institute at UT-Dallas will present a free program on this ancient art at 4 p.m. Saturday in JO 4.102 on campus, 800 W. Campbell Road in Richardson. Woody Wu will talk about the basic theories and how they apply to energy conservation, home construction and more. Visit utdallas.edu.

Muslim spelling bee

A Muslim Spelling Bee took place recently at the Islamic Center of Irving. First-place winners were Reza Oufi, Ayesha Shahla and Abdullah Akbar. Second place went to Affan Haq, Aleema Haq and Naureen Wajahat. Winners advanced to the finals May 5 in Chicago. Visit muslimspellingbee.com.